It's all over now for Ken

Sir Geoff Hurst led the tributes this afternoon for Ken Wolstenholme, the commentator who immortalised his third goal in the 1966 World Cup final with the words: "They think it's all over, it is now".

"The funny thing is that for many of the younger generation his words are more familiar than my goals," said Sir Geoff. "That says something about the quality of his commentary that day. It's a sad day for football and my thoughts are with his family.

"I met Kenneth many times over the years. He was a lovely man and we often talked about that day in 1966."

Sir Bobby Charlton said: "I'm very, very sad. He loved the game and he was good at what he did. He had a marvellous voice which everybody remembers, and of course, those very famous words. All the lads will be very, very sad."

Sir Bobby's brother Jack said: "He was always around with the '66 lads wherever we went."

Martin Peters, who scored one of England's goals in the final, said of the famous line: "It came out of the blue and was perfect for the time and the end of the game. It rolled off his tongue. The quote will live forever."

Commentator John Motson said he will be remembered for more than "his magical last line of commentary". Motson said Wolstenholme was for 20 years "almost the solitary commentary voice that the nation associated with football".

BBC football correspondent Mike Ingham said: "He was an inspiring character. The voice of my youth who will always be associated with the 1966 final." Among other highlights of his career was the "Matthews final" of 1953 and a few months later the pivotal match at Wembley when Hungary beat England by six goals to three.

Wolstenholme died last night at the Mount Stuart Hospital in Torquay, Devon, where he was admitted last Monday for treatment for heart failure.

Ian Todd, chairman of the National Federation of Football Supporters' Clubs, said: "He was really the television commentator who set the standard for all those who followed him. He was very much loved by supporters and continued to visit games since his retirement, where he would always talk to the supporters who waited to shake his hand." Until recently Wolstenholme was Channel 4's soccer pundit, working on coverage of Italian matches. He was also a match commentator for Tyne Tees.

Born near Bolton, Wolstenholme, invested shrewdly in his local club and in Manchester United to ensure a comfortable retirement.

Since 1966, he also enjoyed a steady flow of royalties from the remarks that went down in broadcasting history. They were used for the title of the comedy sporting quiz show, They Think It's All Over.

Unimpressed by the show, which he described as "puerile", Wolstenholme wrote angrily to the BBC demanding a change in title. The protest was in vain.

His words were later used in commercials by Wolstenholme himself and at the start of the England football World Cup single in 1990. His popularity also earned him a place on the after-dinner speaking circuit.

Before becoming a football commentator Wolstenholme served in the RAF with great bravery during the Second World War.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar for his 100 bombing missions over Germany.

When he first joined the BBC in 1948, he confessed he had never even seen television.

He was married to Joan for many years, until her death in 1996 and continued to live in their small bungalow in Ewell, Surrey.

He is survived by one daughter and three grandchildren.

? Ray Wilson hopes to get up to £90,000 for his World Cup winners medal tomorrow at auction. He will be the fifth team member to sell his medal.